The Hilton Cartagena Hotel regularly hosts meetings groups and can set up private beach parties and celebrations for meeting attendees
DAY 1
Then & Now
10:00 AM
The historic heart of Cartagena de Indias is its centuries-old walled city, first founded in 1533, and today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The granite-colored walls, which stretch around the “ciudad antigua” for nearly seven miles, were originally constructed by the Spaniards to defend against attacks. Give your attendees time to simply stroll along the streets within, admiring the brightly colored colonial buildings, churches, museums, and plazas inside. Or, if you prefer, contact Proexport Colombia to arrange a special scavenger hunt activity through the city streets.
www.colombia.travel6:00 PM
One of Cartagena’s most venerable hotels is the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, a former convent and hospital that served as the inspirational setting for Gabriel García Márquez’s
Of Love and Other Demons. The famous novelist and next-door neighbor is often known to stop for a drink at the hotel’s El Coro bar. Pull up a seat at the bar, or arrange a small-group wine or rum tasting. Afterward, head to dinner at Juan del Mar Restaurante, an atmospheric and elegant seafood restaurant just across the Plaza de San Diego.
www.sofitel.com;
www.juandelmar.comDAY 2
Out & About
9:00 AM
If your group doesn’t mind getting a little bit dirty (literally), consider taking them to El Volcán de Lado Totumo. A 1.5-hour drive east of Cartagena, it consists of a small, but fairly sizable volcano oozing mud that is believed to possess therapeutic healing powers. Whether or not you believe in the mud’s restorative properties, slathering yourself with it can be plenty of fun. On the way back to Cartagena, stop for lunch in nearby Manzanillo del Mar where you can take in views of the sea.
bit.ly/smTotumo5:00 PM
Once you’ve cleaned yourself up after visiting Totumo, head back out for a private sunset dinner cruise on the seas surrounding Cartagena onboard one of Maxicat Catamaran’s luxurious vessels, which can host anywhere from 20 to 65 attendees.
www.maxicatcatamaran.com11:00 PM
If your group consists of live-music aficionados, take them to one of Cartagena’s most popular Cuban music and dance clubs, Café Havana. Just outside the Walled City, the club has even played host to former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
http://cafehavanacartagena.comDAY 3
Get Up & Celebrate
1:00 PM
Inspired by a night’s worth of dancing and music at Café Havana? Then head to Crazy Salsa where you can take a 90-minute Basic Latin Moves course that includes a bit of merengue, bachata, vallenato, and, of course, salsa.
www.crazysalsa.net6:00 PM
Mark the end of your meeting with a sunset beachside gathering at the Hilton Cartagena Hotel, located on the very tip of the El Laguito Peninsula. The 341-room resort, which also boasts its own extensive meeting facilities, works often with meeting groups, and can make arrangements with city authorities to secure the surrounding public beach for your own private event.
www.hilton.com